Mizuage

It is not for geisha to want. It is not for a geisha to feel. Geisha is an artist of the floating world. She dances, she sings, she entertains you... What ever you want... the rest is shadows, the rest is secret. - Sayuri, Memoirs of a Geisha (film)

The years of a back-breaking regimen had cultivated her skills into this one moment - the debut as an official contract woman who would cater to the aesthete tastes of Pani men that would be able to afford her.

But, there was one final step in the process in which Mizumi must abide before her anticipated arrival as a full-fledged contract woman... and that was her mizuage.

Like the oiran and ancient geisha of Earth, it is an ancient coming of age custom where a trainee girl's virginity is sold to the highest bidder. It is one of the many secrets which "known Gor" would not be aware of except amongst the Pani elite and particularly it was a business matter that was reserved solely for the privileged or for those who could afford it. Collar-girls are often opened for the pleasures of men, but for a contract woman trainee, it was a symbolization that she was no longer a girl or han'gyoku (half-jewel). With the patron who receives opportunity, he is often to compared to a bee or eel that will "pollinate the jewel-flower" or the eel "who finds his cave and finds satisfaction in it, marks his territory by spitting in it." The entire process transforms the "half-jewel" in a blooming flower or rare gem that will be appreciated and tended to by men. In return, a contract woman provides amusement, relaxation, and grace to anyone who is lucky enough to hold her contract.

One could only guess how Mizumi felt about the entire thing.

The willow which bends to the tempest, often escapes better than the oak which resists it; and so in great calamities, it sometimes happens that light and frivolous spirits recover their elasticity and presence of mind sooner than those of a loftier character - Sir Walter Scott

"I will not do this! I refuse to do this! I am not some writhing, panting white collar-girl who will moan when touched! I am better than that, onei-san!" Mizumi's stubbornness proved adamant in her conversation with her mentor or "older sister", Kuzuki. Like the geisha of Earth, it was not uncommon for an inexperienced trainee contract woman to be afforded a mentor. When not entertaining their clients, their jobs were to focus upon and help the young trainees both nurture their skills and promote them. Ironically, it was similar to that a First Girl on a chain whipping Last Girls into shape when it regarded slaves. But, unlike First Girls and Last Girls, they were a paragon of the apprenticeship that trainees must endure and their contracts were often the most valuable and sought after by the Pani.

"What have I taught you, Mizumi? Contract women do not become what they are because they have a choice. It is will of men that makes us become what we are. If a man chooses, he can make you a collar-girl. But, that is not what you are nor what you will become. You are being primed to be something better than the common animal, but rather a rare and precious jewel that men will pay fortunes to be in the company of. You are living art and with your mizuage, you will become a masterpiece who's services will appeal of the connoisseurs of the Pani."

Yuzuki's words only made Mizumi more obstinate and frustrated with the entire ordeal and she begrudgingly acquiesced to the luring of patrons who were bidding on the prospect of deflowering her.

Of course, there was expected opposition and this came in the form two women: Sumomo and her charge, Hisui who would later become contracted to both Lord Nishida and Lord Okimoto.

Sumomo was a beautiful, prideful woman who was past her prime but displayed vast insecurity when it regarded Yuzuki's success and Mizumi's rising career. It infuriated her that both Lord Nishida and Lord Okimoto were beginning to inquire about Mizumi's upcoming debut. Sumomo was not only wicked, but cunning and would utilize any opportunity to humiliate and undermine Mizumi whenever she accompanied Yuzuki to an ochaya (teahouse) or feasts hosted by Lord Nishida so that she could promote her availibility.

Rivalry is the life of trade, and the death of the trader - Elbert Hubbard

"I wasn't aware that collar-girls were permitted kimono," remarked Sumomo to both Yuzuki and Mizumi. "Perhaps I'll see to Lord Nishida about changing that." Her snark was as sharp as her comeliness. Among men, she displayed her best smile with a sense of submission that could even make a collar-girl's eyes roll. She was a silk robe that maintained its feel, but was of a cheap quality.

"Ah, Sumomo. How good it is see you but you are mistaken I'm afraid. We are not collar-girls, but rather contract women who entertain men. If you like, I can refer you to the physician. But, then again lack of eyesight tends to coincide with age." Yuzuki's wit was just as quick as her observation, if not to situations but to the individual. She was as graceful and lovely as she was clever and the latter part would be a trait that Mizumi and her daughter would utilize in the future when they were both in the steel.

Sumomo snorted with disgust at both of the women and continued with her duties. She had heard about the bidding for Mizumi's mizuage and seized this opportunity to unsheathe her claws and assault Mizumi's reputation with malicious rumors.

A contract woman who did not have a client or series of clients could possibly fall into destitution or become a collar-girl, but this was rare indeed. Only the bottom of the barrel occurred to such and Sumomo sought to make Mizumi nothing more than the common kettle and mat collar-girl who was chained at night to the slaver houses.

Suspicion began to surface regarding Mizumi. Did she have a lover? Was she actually a virgin? Speculation aroused due to Sumomo and her skills with gossip, especially regarding how persuasive she could be. The flippant wagging on her tongue and her facade of expressing false concern over Mizumi's status elicited much talk about the trainee's subsequent mizuage.

Lord Nishida, who was one of the one bidders for Mizumi's "coming of age" experience ordered to have her examined by physician to see if she was indeed in-tact. Most likely, if she wasn't, she would either be expected to take her own life for breaking protocol and dishonoring not only her pleasure house, but herself and ruining the investments that instructors, trainers, teachers, and even bidders placed in her. That or the latter and that would be the collar; which would be a complete loss of identity and sense of self.

Mizumi was examined by Lord Nishida's own personal physician as he certainly wouldn't lie to the daimyo. The process was humiliating, if not dehumanizing for the young trainee but it satisfied Lord Nishida's doubts and essentially quelled the rumors of whether or not Mizumi was a virgin and fit to undergo her mizuage as planned. It was certainly not unusual that he won the bidding war as he had his eye the young beauty since the day she was introduced to him during one of his decadent feasts. He was determined to have her, despite the steep price for deflowering her.

To supplement to the trainee's chagrin, she was instructed to approach the shamaness at the shrine for the prediction of an auspicious date of which the mizuage should occur. The last time Mizumi visited the shamaness was for a reading of her future and was informed that she would bear a daughter would be like a willow - gracious, flexible, and strong and endure much adversity. Though the prophecy remained a constant in her mind, she was more concerned during this time about her impending mizuage. But, to remain on the safe side, she consumed copious amounts of "the wine of the noble free woman" administered to her by Lord Nishida's companion. The thought of a child resulting in her union with Lord Nishida was as unnerving to her as to what she had to endure.

The dictated date arrived and Mizumi spent the time pacing and reflecting. Lord Nishida seemed to be an insatiable, if not crafty man. But, it was not his cunning that nonplussed her, but rather his greed and actions which seemed to be shadowed with ulterior motives. He was like any other Gorean man; voracious and uncompromising. Would he hurt her? A myriad of questions inundated and before she knew it, the fateful evening had arrived and it was time to go to Lord Nishida.

The okasan (propietoress) of the pleasure house selected the chamber and a ceremony quite similar to what Free Companions go through. Lord Nishida attempted conversation to quell her nerves as his voice was smooth like silk and his sleek way with words. Admittedly, his efforts alleviated some of the thick tension between them. Time passed and the moments she had been dreading arrived as he lead her to the futon. He had already undressed himself, Mizumi remained clothed.

His lips claimed hers with a gentle, yet vehement kiss that made her heart palpitate rapidly. It wasn't the kiss of ownership that owners give to their slaves, but something entirely rapidly. It was impassioned, gentle which relieved her trembling and his callused hands took their time in divesting her of her kimono which was the only barrier between them. She was on her back and he loomed over her while his kisses were constant, resembling a butterfly's wings opening and closing. His attempts were to ease her trembling and assuage her fears. A contract woman is no slave and thus was used differently than the average collar-girl.

Everything around me seemed to grow so quiet, as if he were the wind that blew and I were just a cloud carries upon it. - Sayuri, Memoirs of a Geisha (film)

He positioned himself between her legs and penetrated her, sealing her whimpering cry from the painful entry with the same kiss he had utilized to ameliorate her prior fears. The experience was sweet, if not a bit rough, but he treated her with the care as one would handle a rare gem and not a collar-girl.

The evening would be emblazoned in her memory forever and within the following days, her status as well her popularity increased. With her "coming of age" experience, thanks to Nishida, she was elevated not only in status but in favor. Often she became requested to appear at teahouses and banquets. Sumomo fumed and plotted with Hisui. As Mizumi was granted her time in the limelight, there was a cloud emerging on her horizon that would begin a series of bad omens. It would only be a matter of time before she fell from grace.

Success is important only to the extent that it puts one in a position to do more things one likes to do. - Sarah Caldwell

...a Contract Woman's Efforts.

You cannot say to the sun, "More sun." Or to the rain, "Less rain." To a man, geisha can only be half a wife. We are the wives of nightfall. And yet, to learn kindness after so much unkindness, to understand that a little girl with more courage than she knew, would find her prayers were answered, can that not be called happiness? After all these are not the memoirs of an empress, nor of a queen. These are memoirs of another kind. - Sayuri from Memoirs of a Geisha (film)

On the planet Gor, there thrives a passionate, vital race known as the Pani who are very similar to the Asian cultures of Earth. Their ways and beliefs were transferred on the Voyages of Acquisition thousands of years ago, but they are often unheard of in "known Gor". Yet, their stories are just as rich and abundant as any other woman's secret history.

Honjuku is a Port Kar reserve and some pasangs away was the notorious port city which harbored its very own Caste of Thieves, she-urts, and pirates. Yet, the village was entirely the opposite; a scenic respite that invoked tranquility but never lacking in diligence and discipline, as it was dedicated to the lifestyle of the Pani swordsmen.

We do not become Geisha to pursue our own destinies. We become Geisha because we have no other choice.- Mameha, Memoirs of a Geisha (film)

Mori Okimoto, often referred to by his men as "Lord Okimoto" was a dignified man who favored resplendent korti or kimono. When he was not attending to matters of state for the emperor or dealing with politics, he preferred spending his evenings within the attendance of the refined and beautiful contract women which the makeshift pleasure house of the tarncamp provided. Often, men would seek out collar-girls or women who assumed themselves as contract-worthy but often, by examination, age, and eligibility, would not be admitted to the okiya of where future contract women lived.

Yet Hisoka, later renamed "Mizumi" during her training, a one-name person seemed to perplex them...

Hisoka was a simple peasant girl who had been born and raised in the tarncamp who was the daughter of a fisherman employed under Lord Okimoto. He provided the best fish that he could catch for the military camp and admired by many. During wartime, his skills could be depended upon to provide nutrition for the soldiers; and he was awarded a fine contract woman to become his companion.

But she provided no sons for him to carry on his legacy, only a plain older daughter named Setsuko and a lovely one who was named Hisoka. Both daughters were sold into an okiya after the death of his companion, for among the Pani and not simply just Gorean men, females could be done with as men saw fit, young or old.

Hisoka, the reserved child was seperated from Setsuko as the both of them endured very different lifestyles. Setsuko would become a collar-girl and the aged contract women who were now in charge of Hisoka's life were determined to see her through to her training.

Despite the appearance to the outside world, Hisoka endured with attempts to run away and the like. Though she endured, suffered, becoming a refined gem for the pleasure of Pani men. Shouldn't she consider herself luck that she was not a collar girl?

There was a moment, during Hisoka's youth and training where Lord Okimoto bought her dumplings and offered kind words to her. Unlike most Pani men who preferred the women, he resigned himself with the simple whims of a girl who was struggling and suffering from subsuquent adversity. He was kind, gentle, and offered a few words of encouragement.

The trainee contract girl dashed to the nearest temple and paid her respects to the gods; offering her life, her services, everything... if she could meet such a man as Lord Okimoto again; even in training for just a moment.

Hisoka, who would later become Mizumi was unaware just how much perseverence would be prevalent in her bloodline.

In that moment, I changed from a girl facing nothing but emptiness, to someone with purpose. I saw that to be a geisha could be a stepping stone to something else... a place in his world. - Sayuri, Memoirs of a Geisha (film).